“What I had was an awareness”: Allan Houston on early detection and a family fight against prostate cancer

Allan Houston understands the power of early detection on a deeply personal level. The former New York Knicks standout, two-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist watched his father fight and survive cancer—and then faced the very same diagnosis 13 years later.

Wade Houston, the former head men’s basketball coach at the University of Tennessee, the first African American head coach in the SEC and father to Allan Houston, beat his prostate cancer diagnosis in 2010.

Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Black men in the United States—and Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer compared to white men. Black men and men who have a first-degree relative—such as a parent, child or sibling—who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 also have a higher risk of developing it. Allan fits into both of these categories.

Read more: How genetics affects your cancer risk—and what you can do about it

Competing for their health

Since his son faced a significantly higher cancer risk, Wade understood that sharing his experience with him wasn’t just helpful, it was essential—and that made all the difference for Allen.

“What I had was an awareness,” Allan said. “I knew that it had been running through my family—my father had gone through it—so the minute he had gone through it, I was already on alert, and I was already going twice a year to get checked.”

He began screening through prostate-specific antigen testing (PSA), a test that measures the level of PSA protein in the blood. (Higher PSA levels can potentially indicate cancer.) In 2023, Allen was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

As a lifelong athlete, Allan is familiar with competition, but cancer brought a different kind of challenge—one that tested him mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Throughout his own journey, Allan reflected on his father’s determination to stay healthy for his family, which he now carries forward for his own seven children.

“I have to be there for them, and take that competitive spirit to [my] health,” Allan said.

Talking about it

Allan highlighted how many men remain hesitant to speak openly about their experiences, especially with prostate cancer, but that his father was different in this regard.

“He was very open and willing to do whatever it took,” Allan said. Wade was determined to do everything possible to remain present for his family and support their legacy.

That same determination now resonates with Allan. Fortunately, Allan was already aware of his cancer risk early on because of his father’s diagnosis.

Though a family history of prostate cancer can increase your risk, it’s important to know that only approximately 10% of cancer cases are hereditary. Most cancers are diagnosed in people with no family history of the disease, which is why it’s important for everyone to get their routine cancer screenings.

Prostate cancer doesn’t typically present with symptoms in the early stages, so those routine screenings can be critical in detecting it early for better health outcomes.

Read also: Should I get screened for prostate cancer?

Current screening guidelines recommend talking to your health care provider about prostate cancer screening if you are age 40+ and have a strong family history, age 45+ and are Black OR have a family history, and age 50+ if you’re at average risk. You and your provider can discuss the pros and cons of screening to make the best decision for you.

Allan’s cancer prevention message

Allan committed fully to doing whatever was necessary to become cancer-free and has since become an advocate for men’s health and early detection.

“We’re protectors, we’re providers and we’re survivors, and I think you have to take that same mindset into preventive care,” Allan said on his message to men.

He attended the NBA Total Health Fair in Las Vegas, Nevada, presented by Evernorth health services in December 2025. The fair was hosted in partnership with the Prevent Cancer Foundation, Nevada Cancer Coalition, Goodr and the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA. He also serves on the board of directors for ZERO Prostate Cancer.

“You just have to eliminate the temporary discomfort of fear for what’s going to be better in the long term,” Allan said.

For more information on prostate cancer screenings, what they entail and who they’re for, visit preventcancer.org/prostate.